Category Archives: Paws For A Minute® Inspriation

A new trend in Los Angeles is helping to change the face of pet stores. Many animal foundations are redefining the “pet store” concept to include “only” rescued shelter pups. The concept has been emerging over the past few years, but now picking up steam.

During the past 20 years the pet industry has tripled and so has the volume of breeders good and bad. The internet and local pet stores are inundated with breeding facilities who follow a trend of popular pups, designer or not. The internet competition of where to get your Lassie-like idea of your next BFF is an underground web of confusion in this furry internet secret society.

In other words, the rescues and shelters can’t stop the puppy mill or internet breeders. They can only educate us to be responsible and provide help for the pups in the pound. Only we can change with awareness, education and knowledge to ask the right questions. USDA (United States department of Agriculture) are legal commercial kennel facilities that produce mass puppies often sold to pet stores. That’s not to say all breeders are bad, it’s truly buyer beware and education on how, where, and who to get a puppy from, that’s lacking to the general public.

The puppy mill breeders appear behind internet sources and pet stores providing cute puppy faces and sometimes make deals with pet stores. The breeding conditions aren’t known (behind a website or from a store) and a seemingly heathy puppy within a year can have chronic ailments due to bad breeding or not having the proper training (due to lack of puppy parent education) hence, they’re turned into the shelter. By the way, not all rescue pups are in ill health. I personally have a rescue pup that will turn 17 years old in August. She’s in perfect health for her age!

The rescues keep plucking the best out of the pounds urging people to spay and neuter and adopt, but the cycle continues. All topics are important issue’s that contribute to the approximate 10 Million animals a year that get euthanized across the U.S shelters, costing tax payers roughly 2 Billion dollars to execute.

Congratulations to the many animal foundations who are making their way into main stream retailers! This provides the space and appeal to “rescue” a puppy while shopping in a local shopping mall. Spot! (West Hollywood) , Love and Leashes (West Los Angeles) and Adopt and Shop (Mission Vejo, CA) to name a few. Many people want to rescue yet the local animal shelter can be a sad depressing place or not local. The great thing about these types of stores is that they provide more than just puppies. Often a more mature pet is your ideal lifestyle pick. Viola, love at-first-sight! A store front environment changes the appeal and makes recycling a paws-a-tive gift!

Found Animals Foundation who is a privately funded operating foundation in Los Angeles that focuses on a few powerful levers for changing the outcome for millions of animals euthanized each year in the US. Working with local communities and animal care professionals, we deliver innovative community-based adoption, spay/neuter, and pet ID programs while offering a wealth of trusted educational resources. Bravo!

Is your dog bored with his stuff or just chewing things he’s not supposed to? Here are a few things to spice up his/her life. Here are a few tips that will save you money and others your sanity.

The re-make of the old tennis ball. How? They used an orbe tuff material and put a whole through the bottom. Why? It makes a soft whistling noise that captures a dogs attention, making him want to chase it! Hmmm.. smart stuff.

Yes, it’s a carrot. Not just for rabbit’s or a salad. Try this natural treat along with a few commands. Sit, stay and come! Great for his teeth and low-cal and best on the budget.

Sweet Potato Madness. Yes, it can be used as a great treat. A runner up to the carrot. Microwave or bake potato as you would for yourself. Dice or cut into small pieces. Cool, take off the skin and put into container and keep in the fridge. Dogs go crazy for this treat! Remember, a little goes a long way.

Forget the new toys. All dogs love to chew. For this boredom buster the best thing you could do is to buy a bully stick. It provides hours of crazy chewing fun and peace for you!

It’s the cuddle chemical and it’s findings have forged studies for decades. You know, oxytocin it’s the human brain and stimulant that emotes empathy, trust and of course, the hug. Dog’s provide this in massive quantities for owners and all dog owners definitely understand this high.

The wet nose, the unconditional hello, the crazy tail wag and total excitement to see you creates a feeling in us that is fantastic for our well being. It’s the cuddle chemical in our brain that is evident with pets and it mirrors the same bond that baby have with their mothers. That powerful punch that creates the warm fuzzy feeling of euphoria. The love drug.

So can training your dog actually make you feel better after a bad day? Actually, yes.

As a matter of fact, oxytocin levels probably remain higher and longer with the tail wagging family members then with some others. As a dogs life span averages over a decade, dog ownership can this carry this particular confection of brian chemistry into addiction. Puppy love can outlast some marriages, and trump the endorphins required to endure long days at the office. So if you want to feel better after a long day, get the leash, your dog and practice a few sits, a stay, or even the come command. End the commands with eye contact and the word “okay” and watch the love and happiness pour out of both of you!

The prime ingredient: a leash, a great walk, a few commands and an occasional cookie. What more could you ask for?

* Not to be confused with oxycontin which might be needed if your dog doesn’t get trained to ease the pain of the destruction and doggie demolition that could occur.